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July 19, 2012

22 Week Ultrasound

I feel like I was just at my 18 week appointment, making the big discovery that we are going to be having two lovely little ladies this fall, and already, our second anatomy scan rolled around. From what I understand, typically there's only one anatomy scan around 20 weeks, but since I'm seeing an MFM (Maternal Fetal Medicine) and currently categorized as "high risk" rather than seeing an OB/GYN, I'll have three anatomy scans to track the girls' growth.

The good news is that everything is still looking great in there. The girls are still measuring about a week ahead, but I looked up their current weights to compare them against average sizes and they're at 53% and 54% for weight, so I'm not too worried about gargantuan babies.

I AM however, a little concerned about babies with gargantuan heads! The ultrasound tech measured Baby A's head twice because it was so large, she thought she'd messed up the first measurement. Eep! That's my dad's side of the family right there. Then the tech, in a sort of misguided attempt to comfort me says, "Well, at least Baby B should be able to come out nice and easy--that Baby A is a door buster!" DOUBLE EEP!!!!! Her weight at 21 weeks 6 days was 1 pound 2 ounces and her heartbeat was a beautiful 148 bpm. She's usually the one we end up with all the best pictures of, but yesterday, she just wasn't feeling it and spent most of the appointment behind her hands and rolling away from the ultrasound tech.

Baby B, on the other hand, was all about the pretty pictures for once. She also surprised us by overtaking her sister in size, going from being the consistently smaller twin to the bigger one at 1 pound 3 oz with a heartbeat of 153 bpm. It's very good news that they're such similar sizes, meaning that one girl isn't hogging all of the nutrients. Still in utero and already they're such good sharers! And I love my ultrasound tech--she is absolutely brilliant at what she does, she's fun to talk to (which is important when you're spending two hours together), and she always sends me home with tons of pictures. I got over 40 last time and more than 30 this time--she asked me to keep them rolled up while I was in the hallway so she wouldn't get in trouble for printing so many!

I also finally had a great appointment with a doctor--sadly, this doctor is moving next week, so I'll be seeing her replacement at my next appointment. She asked me if I had any specific birth plans, and I told her that I have a pretty relaxed attitude about it. When I thought I was having a singleton, I had big plans for a birth center and a crunchy, granola natural birth experience, but with two in there and all of the increased risk for emergency situations, I'm open to whatever the doctors tell me is the best for us. I have to trust them. She was also a strong proponent for breastfeeding, giving me lots of encouragement and recommending that I meet with a lactation consultant when I get into my third trimester when I admitted I am very nervous about breastfeeding two babies. It didn't hurt that she has twelve-year-old twin girls conceived through IVF with ICSI, which put a much more personal spin on all of her advice.

I'm supposed to call back in a couple of weeks to make my next appointment for four weeks from now, but since I'm hoping we'll be on vacation that week, it'll probably be in five instead when I'll be 27 weeks and just getting into the third trimester. I'll also be getting my Rhogam shot at 28 weeks and will probably be scheduling my glucose test for some time shortly thereafter. Things are starting to feel really, really real!

Great update! And now I'm finally out of the closet so can publicly squee about twins with you! I love reading your posts because they are a tiny glimpse into my future (except my future comes with so many penises...eek).

One of my best friends has 10 month old twins who she is still exclusively BF-ing. If you want some support, I know she'd talk to you:) She's great You got this, mama:) And man, the other commenters are right...you will basically be able to eat whatever you want!!!!

Breastfeeding is hard at first, but worth it in the long run if you can swing it. The challenge is staying hydrated. OMG I was always thirsty and that was with just one kid. LOL. Can't wait to see the cute baby pictures!

Ok, I feel horrible! I clearly haven't been here to visit in a while because you're PREGNANT! I'm so so so so so so SOOOOOO Happy for you! I seriously can barely contain my excitement. And I love that you get to take so many pictures home of your gorgeous girls! YAY!